Windows

Our Ash Wednesday service will be held February 13 at 6:20 p.m. in the sanctuary, after the Fellowship Dinner. Everyone is encouraged to attend this special worship service as we enter the season of Lent in preparation for Easter.

Note: The regular Wednesday programs for adults, youth, and children have been cancelled for the evening and will resume February 20.

We are excited that the Care Shepherd ministry is resuming this month, under the direction of the Board of Deacons, and we would like to share the opportunity to serve in this meaningful ministry of congregational care.

The goal of the Care Shepherd ministry is to show Christian love and care to those of our church family who are in need. Opportunities exist to provide meals to those just home from the hospital, or to send a card or make a phone call to someone in a special care facility, or to provide comfort in other situations. Volunteers serve one month at a time on a Care Shepherd team that coordinates the needs of the congregation for that month. We already have a team in place for February but are humbly seeking volunteers to serve in the remaining months of 2013.

If you are willing to serve as a volunteer on a Care Shepherd team, please contact Lorri Looney at jeffandlorri@msn.com or call the church office at (423) 764-7176. Please indicate whether you prefer to serve for a particular month or are open to serve at any time during the year. Thank you for your interest and support.

Presbyterian Women will meet at the church next Tuesday, February 12. Circle will begin at 11:00 a.m., and Bible study will follow at 11:30, after which we will have lunch together in the parlor. Please make lunch reservations with the church office by calling (423) 764-7176. Remember to bring Cheerios for the Fairmount children, as well as any cancelled stamps you have.

On February 20, Chuck Thompson will continue his series, Fruit from the Lemon Tree, in our Adult Learning program. He describes it as "a collection of lessons from the therapy room." Topics may include "True Identity," "Doing Mary Marthaly," "Taming the Dragon that Whispers Negativity," "Forgiveness," "Cultivating Joy," "Grieving Well," and "Appreciating Anger." Come learn what insight can do with lemons, two Wednesdays from now, from 6:15 to 7:00 p.m., in the Fellowship Hall. This series will continue through March 6.

Fellowship Dinner

Before our Ash Wednesday service on February 13, we will enjoy our weekly fellowship dinner together. That famous American pâté, meatloaf, will be sur le table. Please join us at 5:30 in the Fellowship Hall, then stay for the service.

Wednesday Night Kids

So that all can take part in the Ash Wednesday service, Wednesday Night Kids will not meet February 13. The following Wednesday, February 20, will be Activity Night. Details to come!

There's something pretty amazing about being in love, isn't there? The butterflies in your stomach. The dreamy gazes. No wonder so many of us are so in love with being in love. But if you look around-in the media, at school, in life-we've taken what God created and twisted it, morphed it, and configured it into something it was never meant to be: an obsession. When romantic relationships become an obsession, balance goes out the window. We miss out on opportunities and experiences we might otherwise have had. And sometimes we even forget who we are.

There's got to be healthier way to do this. There's got to be another way than being so lovesick. Join us during the Sunday School hour on February 10 and 17 for our new series, Lovesick, for sixth- through twelfth-graders.

Last summer, Vacation Bible School went to Babylon, by way of the Fellowship Hall, to meet Daniel. This summer, June 10-12, our destination is Athens, where we will meet Paul and learn about the adventures he had during his second missionary journey. With all the hardships he faced, Paul might have wanted a break! But surrounded by statues of fake gods in Athens, he did as he always did: he shared Jesus. Hearing about Paul will inspire us to share meaningfully about God's truth and love today.

As always, we will need many volunteers, so sign up early and join us as we come together for Athens: Paul's Dangerous Journey to Share the Truth. To volunteer, contact Ann Abel at aabel@fpcbristol.org or (423) 764-7176.

Date: Saturday, February 9

Time: 11:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.

Place: 134 Trammel Road

Plan on joining us for this annual book review session and soup smorgasbord. We promise you great food and fellowship as we gather at Jennifer Kennedy's home for this popular event. Four women will share their thoughts on books that can encourage and challenge us in our lives of faith. We'll feed our bodies along with our minds as we enjoy delicious soups and salads.

Please call the church office (423-764-7176) or email Jane Prater at jprater@fpcbristol.org to let us know you can attend. Don't forget to invite a friend!

In case of inclement weather, this event will be cancelled or moved to the Fellowship Hall at First Presbyterian Church. Check our Facebook page or call Betsy Turnbull at 423-878-9523, if you're unsure of the plans!

Need Child Care?

We are happy to provide child care for this event! Please call the church office or email Jane as above to let us know how many children to expect and what ages they are. Please pack a lunch for your children.

Joan Spitz

Register now to join us March 1-3 at Blowing Rock Conference Center in Blowing Rock, NC, as we enjoy a weekend of sharing and exploring led by Christian speaker Joan Spitz.

This year we will explore "The Power of Encouragement," as Joan inspires us to know God more fully. Since the beginning of time, God has sent encouragement to His people in the midst of their lives. In times of uncertainty, we can learn from Old and New Testament patterns and recognize God's assurance in our lives today.

Have you ever wanted a stronger faith in God? Have you observed other people and wondered how they got to that level of strength? Have you felt like asking God, "I'm a Christian, but where is this power for living I'm supposed to have?"

If so, you will not want to miss Joan's teaching. She will remind us that the Kingdom of God is not just a matter of talk, but of power (1 Cor. 4:20). Lasting joy in our daily lives can be a reality. Hard times will still come our way, but the peace and presence of Christ will be our steady strength.

The price of the retreat includes two nights' lodging and five meals. A deposit of $25 should accompany your registration form. Single rooms are $165, double are $128, and triple are $110. Handicapped-accessible rooms are available on request, and scholarship assistance is available. Registration forms and more information can be found in the retreat brochures.